Found In Boiling Seas And Hundreds Below, These Are The Most Extreme Animals On The Planet

Matthew Russell

By Matthew Russell

Rush hour in New York City is no joke, July in Phoenix can be downright sweltering, and some days in the Pacific Northwest, the rain seems like it will never stop pouring.

Have you ever considered moving into a hot lava tube instead?

You may think you live in a rough part of town but it’s nothing compared to what some creatures put up with. From the deepest depths, near fissures in the earth’s crust, to the coldest heights, and the ice of Antarctica, signs of life exist nearly everywhere on our planet.

Read on to learn about some of the most extraordinary creatures in thew world, and the extreme conditions they manage to make a home out of.

11. Pompeii Worm

The Pompeii Worm makes its home in lava tubes deep in the ocean, where temperatures can reach above 176 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to Delaware Marine Biologist Craig Cary, who first discovered the creatures in hydrothermal vents in 1998, the Pompeii Worm is perhaps the most heat-tolerant organism on earth.

Source: YouTube/Smithsonian ChannelShovel-Snouted Lizard

10. Shovel-Snouted Lizard

The Shovel-Snouted Lizard lives in the deserts of Namib, where the sand is so hot, the lizard must do a little dance to keep its feet from burning.

According to Africa Geographic, the lizard lifts up a front leg, and the opposite hind leg, alternating sides in quick succession. If it’s still too hot for the lizard to bear, it will dig right into the sand for shelter from the sun.

Click below to learn more about the most amazing creatures in the world

Matthew Russell is a West Michigan native and with a background in journalism, data analysis, cartography and design thinking. He likes to learn new things and solve old problems whenever possible, and enjoys bicycling, going to the dog park, spending time with his daughter, and coffee.

Proper greatergood_ctg_belowcontent

store ecomm

Shop to Support Wildlife & the Environment

Sign up for news and offers!

Let us keep you informed and we’ll give you a FREE gift (you get to choose!).

We’ll fund the preservation of an extra 91 square feet of land if you’re a first-time subscriber to our family of websites!